Statistics say that 9 out 10 times, start-up businesses fail, from a frustrated entrepreneur to being the founder of Home Buddies, a virtual Facebook community with over 2.7 million members, Frances Cabatuando proves the importance of timing in building something great. In this article, we’ll get to know more about the founder, Frances, her daily routine, and how she started Home Buddies.
Frances admits that for the past three years, she has set up a couple of businesses that didn’t go well. She admits that most of these startups failed. However, being an entrepreneur requires more than just knowledge about how business models work. It requires creativity, passion, grit – all of which Frances embodies.
What started out as a passion project of sharing her home decoration updates on @nobi.home on Instagram, became the foundation of Home Buddies.
We asked Frances a few questions about her daily routine.
Walk us through your average day. Diet? Exercise? Shopping?
“When I wake up, I really start by cleaning. Whether it’s washing mugs (I usually drink tea before I sleep!) or vacuuming or rearranging my stuff. I start slowly by cleaning. Then if I have time, I do some yoga.”
She then heads straight to make her coffee, log in her computer, take unboxing photos and videos then start her day at work. She also has a full time job as an advertising associate creative director.
During her down times, she then does mayora or admin tasks for Home Buddies such as approving posts, responding to messages, posting giveaways and other brand announcements. She then ends the day watching vlogs and doing some online shopping.
Who do you count on for support and who inspires you?
Frances admits that she runs to her friends, families, and her followers that she is able to connect with through Home Buddies. Her inspiration in marketing is Fernando Machado.
“In Advertising, I respect the creativity and insights of David Guerrero, Anselmo Ramos and Josy Paul. As a woman, I admire Lauren Tsai for her creativity, attitude towards life, and beauty!”
Where do you see yourself in the next year? What are your mid term and long term goals?
“Hopefully, I get to build a long-lasting business that people would love and support, and that can employ a lot of Filipinos. If that’s not my luck, then being employed in an advertising agency in NYC is a dream, too!”
If you had the chance to help one cause/advocacy/NGO – who would it be and why?
“Because of Home Buddies, I wish to be of help in the public housing sector. Sana, we can have dignified social housing for ALL Filipinos. Kahit maliit, basta comfortable at malinis. That’s a dream that one day I hope I can be part of.”
The sensational group was made for Filipino home enthusiasts where they can share ideas about achievable home decorations, reorganizing things, revamping spaces or simply just giving inspiration and tips on how to improve life at home especially now that most people are working from their residence because of the pandemic. After all, a clean workspace is a safe workspace.
Beyond the tips and the “budol finds” we find from Home Buddies, it has allowed us Filipinos to build relationships and connect online despite the pandemic. Slater Young, among others, are some of the celebrities that constantly post their home decoration and home maintenance hacks.
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